Common Questions

Before Surgery

What are the benefits of jaw surgery?

  • It will improve the ability to eat comfortably.
  • It may improve breathing.
  • It may improve speech that uses the tongue tip and teeth sounds.
  • It will improve facial appearance, how your teeth meet, and your smile.

What are the downsides of jaw surgery?

  • Requires time, from months to years.
  • Requires many appointments, time off from school and work.
  • Requires hospitalization and a recovery period.
  • While risks, complications, and an undesired outcome are rare, it is not zero.

Will insurance cover the surgery?

  • Not all insurance policies cover jaw surgery.
  • It is considered 'elective' surgery and is medically necessary only under certain conditions.
  • It may also be excluded from your policy to reduce the cost of the policy.
  • For most insurance plans, you will need to meet both functional and anatomic criteria (how bad is the deformity/bite).
  • Check with your insurance carrier prior to the start of treatment and during treatment if your insurance changes. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Do I need to see other professionals?

  • Ideally, yes.
  • A speech pathologist can assess the impact of surgery on your speech, and a letter supporting the need for surgery can be beneficial to establishing functional reasons for surgery.
  • A psychologist will help you get through the stress of surgery and possible school and work anxiety that can occur with surgery.
  • Patients seen by a dedicated team psychologist who is familiar with jaw surgery recover quicker.

What parts do the orthodontist and the surgeon play?

  • Orthodontist first straightens and aligns the teeth.
  • Surgeon then moves the jaw bones so that the teeth fit.
  • Braces are put on many months before surgery, kept on during, and continued after surgery.

When will I be ready for jaw surgery?

  • When the orthodontist AND the surgeon feel that the teeth are in the correct position.
  • Dental models called "surgical feasibility dental models" verify the fit.

How is surgery planned?

  • The surgery is planned 4 weeks before the date of surgery.
  • 3D x-rays, final dental models, and photos are uploaded into special software for simulation.
  • The simulation allows us to print 3D models and select the hardware needed for the surgery.
  • Optimizes the efficiency of the surgery.

What do I do to prepare myself for surgery?

  • Set aside sufficient time for appointments and to recover and reduce any outside stress.
  • If you are anxious, please talk to our surgical psychologist or any of our patients who have previously undergone surgery.
  • Maximize your oral care to decrease the bacterial count and improve the gum tissues: dental cleaning, brushing 3x/day, antigingivitic mouth rinse 3x/day, nasal saline (salt water) rinse 2x/day.

After Surgery

Will my jaw be wired shut?

  • No. We will use dental elastics 1-2 weeks after the surgery to guide the bite until the bones heal and the teeth fit comfortably.
  • Dental elastics act like tiny 'muscles' to help find your new bite until it becomes stable and a habit.

How long will I be hospitalized?

  • Usually overnight. Occasionally 2-3 days.
  • There is some bleeding and nausea/vomiting after the surgery.
  • The next day you will be better off continuing care at home.

What is recovery like immediately after surgery?

  • The first week is difficult. Facial swelling is common and begins to improve 3 days after surgery.
  • By 2 weeks most patients go back to school and light duty work.
  • Initial pain and discomfort are managed by alternating a prescribed narcotic with ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil).
  • You will be able to open and close your mouth to breathe and eat, and it will become easier as the swelling in the jaw muscles subsides.

How will I eat after surgery?

  • You will be able to eat and drink after surgery, but it will be difficult because your bite is different.
  • Liquids for the first 2-3 days. Then, slowly advance the diet to soft foods (Jell-O, pudding, pasta, fish).
  • To avoid losing weight, you should have high-calorie drinks as supplements.
  • By 4-6 weeks after surgery, many of our patients eat an unrestricted diet.

How much time should I set aside for recovery?

  • Most patients are back to school/work 2-3 weeks after surgery.
  • It will take about 6-8 weeks for strength to come back completely.
  • We encourage a return to daily activities as soon as possible.
  • No contact sports for a minimum of 6 weeks.

How long will my braces be on?

  • Your orthodontist will continue to move the teeth until they are well coordinated and stable.
  • May take 4 to 12 months after surgery. The surgeon needs to agree before they come off.

Is the outcome of braces and surgery permanent?

  • No. Teeth will always move after braces come off and the jaw bones will remodel until a new 'equilibrium' is established by your body.
  • Wearing retainers to hold the teeth in position will help maintain the outcome as long as possible.
  • You must expect ongoing changes as we get older. Bones and teeth are living tissues.